A LEIGH mum, whose little boy suffers from one of the rarest genetic disorders in the world, has found a lifeline in a "Unique" self help group.

After reading the recent Journal story of Lowton mum Shirley Eckersley, whose son Jared suffers from the little known Fragile X, Kathryn O'Donnell stepped forward to help.

She wants everyone in the same position to know about the work of the charity. She said: "I know what it's like when something is wrong with your child and you don't know who to turn to. Unique is a wonderful organisation."

Kathryn's four-year-old son Craig suffers from Chromosome 6 Deletion 27, a condition the family can find nowhere else in the world.

Kathryn, 38, married to Kevin, and with a 15-year-old daughter, Debra, said: "Craig didn't walk until he was two-and-a-half when my health visitor put us in touch with the Mary Sheridan Unit at Leigh Infirmary.

"It was thought he too had Fragile X, but when the doctors sent blood tests to Manchester for genetic testing it was found it was Chromosome 6 that had the problem. If the tests had been done even 18 months ago we wouldn't have known what was wrong because detection wasn't advanced enough then."

"Craig was just over three when we got the diagnosis. He has speech and walking co-ordination problems and attends the Hindley Green Community School, Thomas Street, a mainstream school with specialist units."

Kathryn said St Mary's Hospital in Manchester has been on the Internet but is unable to find anyone else in the world with the same condition. She said: "Samples of Craig's blood have been sent to Philadephia where research is being done but it could take months or years to find a solution. The results may not be able to help Craig, but they may help others.

"I spend half my time on the Internet to see if I can find any other families in the same situation. We have no one we can relate to, so it's a case of waiting to see what develops.

"When the doctor gave us the results it was such a shock, I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. It's a devastating feeling."

Kathryn, who works at a Leigh market cafe, said: "I discovered Unique and joined last year. All the members have children with rare chromosome problems.

"It is the one thing that has been there for me. It sends out lists of contacts and people you can talk to who know what you are going through.

"I'm even in touch with a couple in Australia and we e-mail each other. It really is nice to have someone to talk to."

Unique can be contacted through Beverley Searle on 01883 330766.